The First Sacrifice (RP)

"You were looking for more people to aid us." Daryl says. "But they are all too scared of their wives... Sorry old-timer, I did not mean to say you are better off without one, or anything." He hastily adds.

"Yeah. Me too." Daryl says when Roald speaks about his energy.

He looks around at the trees and the road for the firsts time since getting here. "Yes." He says. "I do recognise this place. It was just getting light when I got here." He thinks for a moment. "I had been on this road for hours, but it was dark and I was weak and dizzy. I am sure I will know the place where I come onto the road when we get there."

He looks apprehensive at Norbert's question. "Maybe?" He answers, but there is a lot of 'question' in that 'answer'. "I was just tying to get away, you see, not really thinking about planning for coming back."

Daryl does not know exactly where the camp is, so you guys will have to take responsibility for finding it once you leave the road, and will have to be careful when you approach, with his escape they may have more, or more alert, guards now.

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Once you have assembled your things Daryl sets off down the road, now, once more, at a pace that may be challenging to maintain for some.

The sun is setting to the west and the moon has just peeked over the horizon to the east when he stops. "It was that way." He says, pointing off into the trees, which are casting long dark shadows and not looking at all welcoming. It is old-growth forest, here, and the ground is crisscrossed with fallen branches and rocks and rivulets. It will not be easy to move quietly. "I can't remember how far." Daryl apologises again. "But it felt like hours that I was flailing around in there, all the time with the back of my neck prickling in fear that they would come after me and take me back." He does not sound happy to be going back voluntarily, but the power of Raynor is still filling his veins.

What do you do?

Daryl looks towards the setting sun. "We might be able to get there before it is actually dark." He says, though he may be bargaining on more twilight penetrating the trees than is reasonable. The sun is not yet down, but if his assessment of 'hours' in the forest was correct, and even with him being much slower last time, you will be hard pressed to find the camp before it really is dark.

"I don't know if I will be able to sleep in the forest." Daryl says. "Not because I am scared." He quickly adds. "But because I am so filled with 'bravery' from Raynor's blessing."

Does Raynor bring bravery? Or is fear one the things he expects his followers to conquer? I.e. do you all feel 'brave' or is Daryl lying about why he would not be able to sleep?

Do you camp? If so, do you do it on/near the road, or in the forest?

The fire, in its pit, is not visible from the road. You still have some leftovers from the lunch Barky packed for you, but it is not really enough to satisfy.

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As the other men make ready for sleep, Daryl keeps looking around nervously at the trees. He finds a seat near Olden --but facing the fire for comfort (and the damage to his night vision insulating him from the forest looming around him). He does not want to disturb the sleepers, but definitely looks like he wants to talk, even if just to pass the time.

Daryl has not thought to make himself a 'bed' and, if he is to take the last watch and head out early in the morning, should probably try sleep soon. But his current state of agitation possibly would not allow that.

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The midsummer night is short, if you all take turns you only need to stand watch for an hour or so each, or two hours if you share the watch.